Needling machine



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"Musi C. H. CHASE NEEDLING MAQHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1928' 7 Sheets-Sheet `'7 5 76m #wat Ly gif/01772614 Patented Der. a1, .1929

` UNITED 4STATES PATENT orrlclzfH CHARLES H. CHASE, 0F STONEELAM,` MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CARO CLOTH COR. POBATION, 0F CAROLINA, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE NEEDLING MACHINE cessive vibration inherent in machines of `this type as constructed inthe past andthe absence of vibration enables me to speed up the machine to an appreciable extent, with the result that I am able to produce a more "uniform product and at a higher rate of speed than has heretofore been possible.

. Inthe practical application of the machine referred to, various improvements suggested themselves and in my present invention I have obviated the difficulties encountered in the practical application of my former 1nachine. I have, however, retained Ithe novel feature of arranging the banks of needles in groupstand with the feature of having such banks 0f i1eedles Voperable in any desiredy grouping or order; For simplicity of con;l

struction, however, I have arranged the drive shaft or crank shaftinmy present machine in sections and with Imeans/to couple such sections together to form practically a unitary crank shaft. This has enabled me to moreaccurately adjust the-throw of the cranks on the shaft during manufacture and has reduced the cost of producing the same to a'considerable extent.

I have in my present machine produced a new needle rod, needle bar, as well as a needle guide, which differ jmaterially 4from the equivalent elements as shown in my former.

application, and am' enabled thereby to utilize a needle bar carrying a considerably greater number of needles" than has formerly been considered possible and. my present needle baris more easilyI adjusted and broken Application ale August s, leas. serial No. 298,230.

or bent needles more quickly and easily re.- pairecl or replaced.

Further, I have improvedv to a material degree the sliding frame carrying the needle bar structure and I considerl this matter an important feature of my invention.

Various ther improvements over my former machine have been made and the details of such will appear during the description of the construction and operation of the machine.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan viewg' s Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation'on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; i

Fig.. l is a sectional elevation on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the right-hand end-of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of needling unit;

l Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view'on the line 8 8` ofFig. 7;

Fig. 9 is ,an end elevation of Fig. 7 Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation on the line 10;-10 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 15 is a section through the coupling of the crank shaft elements,A and Fig. 16 is an elevation of aicoupling showing the means for adjusting the counter shaft. Referring to the drawings, 10 designates baseA bars on which are formed uprights v11, there being two uprights 11 foreach base bar l0, each pair of uprights being spaced apart from each other, as clearly Shown in Fig.4 3,- and are tied together at their trops by bars 12.

a complete Fig. 11 is a 'sectional-elevation on theline 11-11 of Fig; l

of a portion of a sii,

These hars 12 are secured to the 'uprights 'l1 by bolts 13. The basebars 10 are adaptbars 16 and the Ichannel bar being' secured end thereof are alined bearings 17, such bearings being secured in position on the channel inposition on the cross bars 12 by uprights 18. Also mounted on top ofthe channel bars 16 and intermediate the bearings 17 and in alinement therewith isabearing 19. Rotatably mounted in the bearings 17 and 19 is ax shaft 20. Secured .to' the 'shaft 20 at each end thereof is a crank arm 21 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The uprights 11 are spaced apart from each other, as above described, and the opposing faces are parallel to each other and constitute vertically arranged spaced slides. In each pair of uprights there is slidably mounted a framework 27, such framework comprising substantially a U-shaped member, as viewed in Fig. 3. On the cross portion of the U is secured one end of a cable 28, such cable.

extending upwardly to any desired point and with its upper end attached to one arm of a bell crank lever 29. The bell crank lev ver is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner and4 to the end of the other arm thereof is attached onel end of a cable 30. This cable l -runsover a pulley 31 rotatably mounted on a shaft 32 at any convenient place, and to the end of the cable .30 is attached a lcounterbalancing weight 33. It will .be understood, of co'urse,`that there is one cable 28 with the I `-associated mechanism as described for each of nthe U-shaped members 27 and, therefore, there isa weight 33 for each U-shaped member. Secured to the inner faces of the arm of the U-shaped member. 27, by bolts 34, is

a substantially rectangular hollow member 35 which ties the U-shaped members 27 together with the member 35' into a substantially unitary element, which element is `slidable on the ways formed on the inner yface of the uprights 11. Secured to the upper face 'of the -rectangular member 35, and at various points along the length thereof, are

bearings 36, which bearings are'in alinementwith each other and rotatably mounted thereinis a multi-throw crank shaft 37. The .crank shaft 37 is preferably made in a plurality of parts for easev and, economy in manufacture and in order that the various throws' of the crank shaft may be more accurately machined. The method of attaching the various parts of the crank shaft together are illustrated in Fig.v15, where on one element is formed a portion 38: internally i machined at 39 to receive a plug` member 40 formed on a member 41 on the adjacent section.l After the elements of the crank shaft 37 are positioned relatively to each other, the portions 38 and 40 have drilled therethrough a taper hole 42,A in which is driven a taper plug 43 held against removel by a screw 44 that is threaded into both the element 38 and the taper plug 43. Along the end facev of the rectangular member 35 and in vertical alinement with the various throws of the crank shaft 37 are secured, by bolts 44, cylindrical "members 45 of suitable internal diameter and length. Slidably mounted in eachof the cylindrical members 45 1s a cylindrical crosshead 46 provided with a wrist pin 47, on which is rotatably mounted the lower end of a connecting rod 48. The up- -the crank shaft, the first two throws thereof move in unison and occupy the same angular position with respect to each other.. Therefore,the connecting rods 48 pivotally mounted thereon will move the cylindrical crossheads 46 associated therewith in a vertical direction so that the two cylindrical crossheads 46 will occupy a position in the same horizontal plane simultaneously. Pivotally attached to the Wrist pins 47 of the cylindrical crossheads 46 and extending 4downwardly therefrom are members 49, such members being likewise arranged in pairs and each pair ofmembers49 being attached to the upper surface of a needle bar 50 by pins 51 or in any other suitable manner. The manner in which needles are carried by the needle bar 50 ,and the construction of such needles, as well as the detailed construction of the needle bar 50,y will be described in detail hereinafter. Secured to the multi-throw crank shaft 37 adjacent one end thereof, is a sprocket 52 which is in alinement with a sprocket 53 on the shaft 54, which shaft is rotatably mounted in bearings 55 secured to brackets 56 that are, in turn, secured to the rectangular member 35 by bolts 57 Over the sprockets 52 and 53 runs a sprocket chain 58 and by means of which power is transmitted from the multithrowl crank shaft 37 to the shaft 54. The sprocket 53 is secured to a face plate 59 that is loosely mounted on the shaft 54, and such face platev is adjustably attached to a second'.

face plate I keyed to the shaft 54 by key 61. The face plate 60 is provided with accurate slots 62 through which pass bolts 63I that screw into the face plate 59. By means of the bolts 63 and arcuate slots 62, it is obvious that the relative position 0f the sprocket- 53 with relation to the shaft 454 may be varied within certain desired limits for a purpose to,b`e hereinafterfdescribed. "Keyed to the shaft 54-at the end thereof'remote from the sprocket 53 is a sprocket 64 that is in alinement with a sprocket 65 secured to a shaft 66, that is rotatably mounted in bearings 67 mounted on brackets 68, secured to the under face of the rectangular member by bolts 69./ Over the sprocket wheels 64 and 65 runs an endless sprocket chain 70 and by means of which power is transmitted from the .shaft 54 to the shaft 66. Formed on the shaft 66 are eccentrics 71, there being one such eccen bers 71.4 On each of the eccentrics 71 runs an eccentric strap 72 that has formed as a part thereof a connecting rod 73, and the free end of such connecting rod 73 is pivotally attached at 74 to the member 49 and intermediate the Iends of such member. The ratio of the sprockets constituting the drive between the lmulti-throw crank shaft 37 and the shaft 66 is such that there is one complete oscillation of the connecting rod 73 for each complete revolution of the shaft 37, and the result is that the needle bar 50, as well as the elements carried thereby, move in a closed path. It is-in order to provide for adjustment to regulate 'the relation between the multi-throw crank shaft 37 and the needle bar 50 that the adjustable connection between the shaft 54 and the sprocket 53 has been designed and which has been described above. Secured to themulti-throw crank shaft 37,

*adjacent to one end thereof, is a sprocket 174 which is in alinement with a' sprocket 75 secured to one end of a shaft 76 that is rotatably mounted in bearings 77 formed on a i y .bracket 78 on one of the ilprights 11. Over the sprockets 174 and 75 runs an endless sprocket chain 79 and by meansl of which power is-transmitted from the shaft 76 to the multi-throw crank shaft y37 and the' method of connection between such shafts 76 and- 37 permits a limited vertical-movement of the multi-throw crank shaft 37 with respect to the shafty76 without impairing the efficiency of the connection. Secured to the `shaft 76 adjacent to jthe en d thereof remote from the sprocket 75 is a sprocket 80 which is connected in any suitable manner to a driving mechanism (not shown), Pivotally connected to each of the cross members 27 on shaft 81 is the lower end' of a connecting rod 82 and the upper end of' this connecting rod is pivotally attached to the outer end of a crank arm 83 secured to the shaft 20. Rotation of the shaft20 in either direction, therefore, will cahse either an upward or down-v ward movement vof the U-shaped members, of

which 27 is a part, together with the rectangular member 35, with yrespect to the uprights 11; and the mechanism above described with -respect to the U-shaped members 27, rectangular members 35, and all mechanism conelongated member secured, as above de scribed, to the lower ends of the members 49 and such needle bars are provided on their -ends with plane surfaces so as to have each of the needle bars capable of'being placed .end to end with respect to. each other and the plane surfaces will, therefore, act as bearings to insure proper alinement thereof. The under face of each of the needle-bars 50 lies in a single plane and the bodyof such needle bar` 50 at one end thereof extends down- \wardly`, as indicated at 85, and forms a groove 86, which acts as a holding member for mechanism to be hereinafter described. Formed on the body Vof the needle bar 50 on the upper face thereof and on the side remote from the member 85 are spaced lugs 186, through each of whichpass bearing bolts or shafts 87, such .shafts 87 being in alinement with each other.

88designates a 'clamping bar provided on its upper rear surface with a plurality of 'spaced ears 89, such ears being arranged in palrs and each pair co-operating with the lugs 186 above referredto. The member 88, will, therefore, be pivotally attached on the shafts 87 and will be movable into and out of operative position. 'On the lower front end of the member 8,8 is formed a member 90 and when the members are in the position shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, for example` .the elements 85' and 90 will form with the under surface ofthe body of the needle bar 50 practically a dove-tailed slot in which Working elements may be positioned. The

body of the needle bar 50, as well as the elements 85 thereof and the member 88, are drilled at a plurality of points transversely of the 'body to receive` through bolts J1, the boltsv 91 passing entirely through the body of the needle bar 50 and through the'mcmber 88. The outer free end of such bolts 91 are threaded to receive clamping nuts 92 and by means of which the member 88 may be drawn into close engagement with any mechanis arranged in the dove-tailed slot above `referred to and by means of which the mechanism is clamped securely in position.n

The mechanism to be placed in the dovetailed; slot above referred to constitutes a needlebank assembly and is composed essentially of a central plate 93, the lower end of.

shank` portion` 101 of such needles. i102 desig-l nates a member of the same length as the needle bar 50 and provided on its upper outer face with a projection 103 that fits in the groove 86 in the needle bar 50 and with a groove 105 that receives the lowerv projecting portion 85. This member 102 is threaded at various points along its length to receive screws 105. The mem'ber 102 is also drilled at various points along its length to receive screws 106, which screws thread into threaded holes in member 96 identical with the members 96 above described and which members 96ers grooved, as described, to receive' the needles 100 in parallel relation. Associated with the member 102 and its associated member 96 is a member 107' constituting a needle spacing plate and provided with an angular cut-out portion that coloperates with the groovedside and grooved upper end of the member 96 and which is drilled toreceivethe screw 105 above referred to, and which screw 105 holds the member 107 firmly in position on the member 102, and this assembly 102, 96,

member 107, and group of 'parallelly arranged needles 100 constitutes a unitary needle group.. 108 indicates a member provided at its upper outer end with a projection 109 adapted to enga e in a groove-formed by the member 88 and t e body of the needle bar I 50 and with a groove 110 adapted to receive the element 90 of such member 88. This l`member 108 isdrilled at variouspoints along its length tok receive screws 106 for the pur-v pose of securing to such member 108 grooved needle members 96.

additional banks of parallelly arrangedv needles 100. To insure that these latter banks of needles 100 will be held permanently and rigidly in position, the elements 1,02, 107, 93,

107 and 108 are drilled transversely along their length, the perforations being inalinement with each other and one of the members, as 102, is drilled and tapped to receive the threaded end f bolts 109 that pass through the elements 1.08, 107, 93, 107 respectively and Associated with` such -j members 1 08 is onev ofthe members 107,

in the order named. With the bolts 109 in position to hold the elements together, there is formed a unit carrying a plurality of rows of banks of parallelly arranged needles 100, the banks of needles y100 being arranged in staggered relation to each other, as clearly seen in Fig. 12; p

. The needle bar assembly is constructed and assembled as above described, and it will be noted that the upper edges or surfaces of the elements 102, 107, 93 and 108 are grooved to permit insertion or positionin of the bolts 91 when the needle bar assemlil surface in engagement with the bottom surface of the needle bar 50 and, therefore, these grooves act as means for positioning the needle bar assembly with correct relationship to the needle bar 50. It is, therefore, impossible to assemble the needle bar 50 and the needle bank assembly just described in any but the correct position. Further, such needle bank assembly is readily attached to ordetached from the needle bar 50,. and assuming that the needle bank assembly is in position on the needle bar 50 and thatit is desired to remove the same for the purpose of repairing or replacing damaged or broken needles,tl1en the operator will back off the nuts 92 from the bolts 91, will slide the bolts 91 rearwardly, or to the right,'as viewed in to readily remove the needle bank assemlliglyy,

from lassociation with the needle'bar. having entra Vneedle bank assemblies a new one may be inserted in place of the old by merely reversing the"above operation, or, of course the machine may be placed out of lcommission until the needle bank assembly has been properly repaired.

`The operation of the improved construction is as follows, it being assumed that the device 'has vbeen .constructed and assembled as above described, and that it is desired to -needle a web of fleece or other fibrous material4 onto a base fabric, which is indicated in'dot and dash lines inthe drawings, articularly Figs. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11. uitable means is .provided 'for feeding the base fabric at the proper rate of speed commensurate with thedistance between the various' layers or banks of parallelly arranged nee'-A dles 100 6r with respect to the vertical oscillation thereof, and also the distance between shaft 37 and, therefore, a reciprocating move-- ment of the cylindrical crossheads 46 1n pairs A,and in" any desired groups of pairs.v

y has its top rio f shown for example in Fig. 2, the two outermost banks of needles 100 operate'together and then afterwards, for example, the two middle banks of needles 100 operate together, andlastly, the second andiifth banks of needles operate together. By thus having A. but a portion of the groups of banks of needl'es 100 movinu into operative position`at anyone time,vitbration is reducedto aminimum and itis possible to noticeably increase the speed of operation. p

4Referring' to Fig. 3, the construction is so arranged that as the member 49 carrying the banks of needles 100 moves downwardly and into and through they base fabric indicated by dot and dash lines in the drawings, the

for attaching the holding members to theA clamping members, and means for attaching all said elements together into a unitary structure. l

In testimony whereof, I have l'signed my name to this specification. Y CHARLES H. CHASE.

lower end of such member 49, together with the needle barf() and attached needles, is

moved forwardly at the same rate of speed as that imparted to such base fabric and this forward movement continues as long as the bank 'of needles is in engagement withsuch base fabric, the mechanism of which the arm 48 forms a part then bringing the lower end of the arm 49 together with the attached needle bar 50 back intb its initial position. There 'i is thus imparted to the banks of needles 100 .not only a reciprocating motion due to the reciprocatory motionof the cylindrical cross-I heads 46 but also a forward and backward movement thereof, with theiresult that the points of such needles'travel in' a closed path. 1

As the needles not only pierce and penetrate the base fabric, but also move along with such fabric, there is no tendency on the part of the needles 100 to tear the base fabric in any way or to injure the fibrous material of the eece. Having thus described my invention, what I claim 'as new is:

1. In an improved needling machine of the -kind described, the combination of a central l plate, a needle spacing plate thereon, a needle ank unit, and means for attachingsaid unit to said central plate.

2.' In an improved needling machine of the kind described, the combination of a central plate, needle spacing plates attached to each Aiside thereof, a needle bank unit arranged on each side' thereof, and means for attaching said units to said central plate.

A unitary needle group comprising a central plate,a pair of needle plates each provided with a plurality of parallelly arranged grooves on one face, means for attaching said needle plates, one on each side of the central plate, needles arranged'in each of the grooves formed in the plate, a holding member ara ranged one on each side of the central plate` abutting against said central plate and against the needles arranged in the grooves in the4 needle plates, a second pair of needle plates each provided with a plurality of parallelly arranged grooves on one face, means for at-v L taching said needle plates, one on each side of i 65 the central plate; needles arrangedin each of 

